From the New York Times bestselling author of On Mystic Lake comes a powerful novel of love, loss, and the magic of friendship…
In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all — … it all — beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success… and loneliness.
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her… how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend…
For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship — jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart… and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you — and knows what has the power to hurt you… and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget… one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.
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An all time favorite
I love Kristin Hannah. She is my favorite author.
I have read many of Kristen Hannah’s recent books and loved them so I went back to pick up some of her earlier work. This one was so disappointing! It went on and on with every character having more and more problems. There was nothing redeeming throughout the whole story. I grew very weary of plodding through the lives of these hopeless people. I …
This was the first Kristin Hannah book I read and I think I’ve read everyone she’s written since. She is a wonderful author–never fail to enjoy her books.
I am working my way through all Kristen Hannah’s books. They are fabulous.
It is a beautiful story of 2 women sharing their lives through all the ups and downs
This book pulled you into the story from the very beginning. The characters were wonderfully developed and believable. Loved every minute of this book.
Love this book ! Typical Kristan Hannah
This is book #1 in the Firefly Lane series.
This book is about two girlfriends, Kate and Tully. It spans the 1970’s to the early 2000’s. It alternates between the two viewpoints of Tully and Kate.
14 year old Kate is closely watched over by her mother. Tully, who is also 14, moves in across the street with her grandmother because she has been …
I’m a huge fan of Kristin Hannah’s books. This one I couldn’t put down. She writes with an authentic voice that resonates. And exciting news is the book is being adapted into a Netflix series. I can’t wait to see what they do with it.
A good read
Great character development, but I didn’t really like the characters. A fast easy read, but not a feel-good booK for me.
Got off to a bit of a slow start but it did pick up some about a third of the way through. I will say that it did make me cry at one point, which is both a good thing & a bad thing: I hate crying but the book must have successfully created a bond with the characters if I had such a strong reaction.
Different choices for women. And told women to love themselves.
I thought this book was great. And would recommend it highly.
This book is real life and what matters most in life.
Love all her books
Not a recent read but remember that I love all her books!! Easy to read and hard to put down
Great book!
Reminded me of “Beaches”. Sad but what a wonderful story!